National Park closes with shutdown; Bike lane bill on hold; HitchBOT remembered | Morning roundup

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY

Someone’s watching us
(Photo by @thetinybun / @skue.ghost)

Independence Hall closes as shutdown hits Philly: What we know

With more than 32,000 federal jobs based in Philly, as well as a national park and numerous federal agencies, the shutdown of the U.S. government is having deep effects here.

What’s open? What’s closed? What can you do, and what can’t you do? Continue reading …

10 years after its demise in Philly, hitchBOT has its day

Just over 10 years ago, a hitchhiking robot began a quest to travel across the continental United States, powered only by the kindness of human strangers. That trip ended in Philly, sadly.

This Friday, though, hitchBOT will be celebrated. Nick Kariuki spoke to the person who set the event in motion. His hope: “It could grow annually and be something on the level of Punxsutawney Phil,” he said. We see you, hitchBOT. Continue reading …

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• A federal judge ruled that, for now, Pennsylvania will not lose millions of federal dollars for refusing to turn over personal data about food-stamp recipients. [WESA] 

• Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order empowering state agencies to create vaccine information hubs, safety net programs and insurance requirements for diseases like COVID-19, chickenpox, hepatitis B and more. [WHYY] 

• The NTSB issued an urgent safety warning to SEPTA over fire risks involving Silverliner IV railcars. [WHYY]

• Dr. Ala Stanford, who provided COVID vaccines to Philly’s communities of color, officially announced a run for Congress. [WHYY]

• Councilmember Jeffery Young held up the City Hall bike lane bill, alarming cycling advocates. [Billy Penn]

• Philly Police began rolling out new midnight-blue uniform shirts for officers, which will differ from the lighter, or “powder blue,” uniforms that have been worn since the 1970s. [NBC10] 

• Cantina la Martina in Kensington will close Nov. 2 after four years, but its owners are searching for a new location and will host pop-ups in the interim. [PhillyVoice/@cantina.la.martina.philly]

• This baseball coach  from Frankford HS is raising awareness about male breast cancer during October, which is breast cancer awareness month. [CBS3] 

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker will join Police Commissioner Bethel to discuss the Philadelphia Police Department’s 5-year strategy for public safety in Philadelphia. Held in Mayor’s Reception Room at City Hall. (11 a.m.)

The mayor will take part in one of the rallies celebrating the Phillies on the Red October Bus Tour, which will include stops across the city, at City Hall, North Apron. (1 p.m.)

The mayor and City Councilmembers will join Northeast Baptist Church and St. Thomas UME to present a $250,000 check for the renovation of the church’s community center, at St. Thomas UME, 4701 Tackawanna St. (2:30 p.m.)

The mayor will attend a press conference to announce that Philly will be the first stop on Unrivaled Basketball League’s upcoming tour. Speakers will include WNBA champion Natasha Cloud, actress Wanda Sykes and artist Tierra Whack, at LOVE Park. (4:30 p.m.)

ON THE CALENDAR

🍂 Autumn festival lineup
🎃 Halloween events across Philly, now through October
👻 Dia de los Muertos events
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide

Thursday, Oct. 2: Safer Streets | A Billy Penn Town Hall 
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, Drexel Prof. Alex Quistberg, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia’s Chris Gale and Philly Bike Action’s Gabriel Straus join BP staffers to discuss what has been done so far and what else Philly could or should do to make our streets safe for pedestrians, cyclists and residents in general. Brought to you by Billy Penn and WHYY’s Bridging Blocks. At Parkway Central Library. (5:30 to 7 p.m.)

Through Saturday, Oct. 2-4: Gyro Festival 
Join St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral at S. 8th and Spruce streets for gyros, baklava, loukoumades and more. (12 p.m.) 

Friday, Oct. 3: Remembering HitchBOT 
Commemorate the quirky tale of HitchBOT, the friendly hitchhiking robot whose journey came to an infamous end at the top of Elfreth’s Alley 10 years ago. Build your own HitchBOT, get robot gear or tattoos, enjoy Human Robot Brewery beer, and more. (4:30 to 7:30 p.m.)

Friday, Oct. 3: DesignPhiladelphia at Carpenters’ Hall
The opening reception for a temporary exhibit displaying panels featuring current historic preservation building projects in the Greater Philadelphia area where accessibility is a central contributing factor. Light refreshments will be served. Free with RSVP. (5 to 7 p.m.)

Friday, Oct. 3: First Friday: Start Talking Science
Meet researchers from local universities, presenting innovative projects and answering your questions live. Try out cool, quirky, and engaging science toys and games at the Science History Institute in Old City. (5 to 8 p.m.)

Friday through Sunday, Oct. 3-5: People’s Media Camp
A free, three-day gathering for Philly’s grassroots memory workers and storytellers alike. Featuring workshops, skill-shares, roundtables, breakout sessions, screenings, collective mapping, art and The People’s Bazaar (a free vendor market). (Friday at 5 p.m. at Calvary Center for Culture and Community, 4740 Baltimore Ave. and Saturday-Sunday at 8 a.m. at FACTS Charter School, 1023 Callowhill St.)

Friday, Oct. 3: Bridging Worlds: Voices at the Intersection of Art and Immigration
An evening of dialogue on art, migration, and belonging at the PMA, featuring internationally renowned artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby, local Philadelphia artist Michelle Angela Ortiz, and Anuj Gupta, CEO of The Welcoming Center, moderated by Aviva Kapust. Free with registration. (6 to 8:15 p.m.)

Saturday, Oct. 4: The Great Swap 
At Gustine Recreation Center, 4868 Ridge Ave. Bring no-longer-needed-but-still-usable household and clothing items, and take home whatever you’d like. You don’t need to donate to shop, and you don’t need to shop to donate — it’s all about sharing and reusing. Free. (9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)

Saturday, Oct. 4: 19th Annual Mutt Strut
The Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) hosts this lively dog walk and fall festival at the Navy Yard for a day of fun and festivities designed to celebrate rescue pets and raise critical funds for animals in need. (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Saturday, Oct. 4: Latin American Book Fair
Families and book lovers are invited to the Kimmel Center for a celebration of stories, art and culture. Meet authors, illustrators and designers from across Latin America, and connect with the voices behind the stories. This year’s special guest country is Mexico, bringing live music, traditions and a vibrant cultural program. Free; RSVP welcome but not required. (11 a.m.)

Saturday, Oct. 4: 13th annual Roxtoberfest
Stretching between Lyceum and Leverington Avenues, this beloved fall tradition brings together neighbors for an afternoon packed with live music on three stages, food trucks, art, stein-holding contests, a dog costume parade, Scarecrow Walk, multiple bars and more! (12 to 5 p.m.)

Saturday, Oct. 4: 30th annual Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival
Come to Philadelphia’s Chinatown to reconnect and give thanks under the Harvest Moon. The festival is a family-friendly event with lion dances, martial arts displays, Chinese opera, carnival games, arts & crafts, and the mooncake eating contest. (12 to 6:45 p.m.)

Saturday to Sunday, Oct. 4-5: Panda Fest
The return of one of the biggest outdoor Asian food festivals in the U.S., with food vendors, face painting, panda-themed food and merch, activities and more. A $17.24 ticket for everyone ages 6 and up includes 2 free gifts: a customized Philly panda pin and inflatable headband.

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